Rockaway Beach, Pacifica, California

Rockaway Beach is a shoreline area of the Pacific Ocean in the southern portion of Pacifica, California, United States, approximately 7 miles (11 km) south of the city of San Francisco.

The beach itself is a popular place to visit with many restaurant and shopping venues although erosion has decreased its size over the years.

The Rockaway beach area has played a role in local history since the arrival of the Portola Expedition, the Spanish explorers credited with discovery of the San Francisco Bay.

Highway 1 was completed from Montara to Rockaway Beach in 1937, thereby reopening the local area again to easy northern access.

A gamut of coastal wildflowers inhabit the headland slopes; in addition to California poppy, there are goldenasters, Douglas iris, and many other native species.

North of the developed area of Rockaway Beach is a hidden quarry, whose habitat is severely disturbed.

Near Calera creek there is aquatic vegetation including rushes, bulrushes, horsetail, fat hen, and plantain.

The quarry area hosts a surprising number of amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and a variety of birds.